Shire says meatworks can operate near housing

Northam Shire president Steve Pollard says he is confident the expansion of a local abattoir can co-exist with a nearby housing development.

The Linley Valley Abattoir is planning a $30 million expansion of its Wooroloo facility, which already slaughters 10,000 pigs a week.

Developer El Caballo has been given approval by the shire to expand its nearby resorts to include 182 homes within one kilometre of the abattoir.

Linley Valley says the two developments cannot operate side by side but Mr Pollard disagrees.

"We're very comfortable that the abattoir has up-to-date techniques and are able to bring their activities into the 21st century and they can actually control what they need to control which is their noise, dust and any other environmental hazards that may exist in that particular area," he said.